meander

¹

[ mee-an-der ]

verb (used without object)

1. to proceed by or take a winding or indirect course:

   The stream meandered through the valley.

   Synonyms: coil, snake, twist, wind, wander

2. to wander aimlessly; ramble:

   The talk meandered on.

verb (used with object)

1. Surveying. to define the margin of (a body of water) with a meander line.

noun

1. Usually meanders. turnings or windings; a winding path or course.
2. a circuitous movement or journey.
3. an intricate variety of fret or fretwork.

Meander

²

[ mee-an-der ]

noun

1. ancient name of the Menderes ( def 2 ).

Meander

¹

/ miːˈændə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of Maeander

meander

²

/ mɪˈændə /

verb

1. to follow a winding course
2. to wander without definite aim or direction

noun

1. often plural a curve or bend, as in a river
2. often plural a winding course or movement
3. an ornamental pattern, esp as used in ancient Greek architecture

meander

/ mē-ăn′dər /

1. A sinuous curve, bend, or loop along the course of a stream or river.

Derived Forms

• meˈanderingly, adverb
• meˈandering, adjective
• meˈandrous, adjective
• meˈanderer, noun

Other Words From

• me·an·der·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of meander¹

1570–80; < Latin maeander < Greek maíandros a winding, special use of Maíandros, the Menderes River, noted for its winding course

Word History and Origins

Origin of meander¹

C16: from Latin maeander, from Greek Maiandros the River Maeander; see Menderes (sense 1)

Example Sentences

Larchmont/Hancock Park It pains me to give one of my favorite neighborhoods in the entire city a sub-par rank but the delightful meander that is two bustling blocks of Larchmont Boulevard isn’t enough to offset the quick transition into full residential territory just a block in either direction.

From Los Angeles Times

They noted, among other things, Trump’s tendency to “ramble, meander, and crudely lash out at his many perceived grievances.”

From Los Angeles Times

Kids stay up late, ice cream becomes a food group and people are out and about, undergirded by an unspoken permission to meander through the days.

From Los Angeles Times

Conversations flow easily at M&M’s and meander through all sorts of subjects from the most surface to sometimes the achingly deep.

From Salon

“Not even GPS will save you, so it’s best just to meander and go with the flow.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• drift
• ramble
• roam
• snake
• stray
• stroll
• traipse